
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-135 Section 101(b)]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-14 Section 8(a)(16)]
[CITE: 38USC7672]

 
                      TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS
 
              PART V--BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES
 
     CHAPTER 76--HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
 
          SUBCHAPTER VI--EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
 
Sec. 7672. Eligibility; agreement

    (a) Eligibility.--To be eligible to participate in the Program, an 
individual must be an eligible Department employee who is accepted for 
enrollment or enrolled (as described in section 7602 of this title) as a 
full-time or part-time student in a field of education or training 
described in subsection (c).
    (b) Eligible Department Employees.--For purposes of subsection (a), 
an eligible Department employee is any employee of the Department who, 
as of the date on which the employee submits an application for 
participation in the Program, has been continuously employed by the 
Department for not less than 2 years.
    (c) Qualifying Fields of Education or Training.--A scholarship may 
be awarded under the Program only for education and training in a field 
leading to appointment or retention in a position under section 7401 of 
this title.
    (d) Award of Scholarships.--Notwithstanding section 7603(d) of this 
title, the Secretary, in selecting participants in the Program, may 
award a scholarship only to applicants who have a record of employment 
with the Veterans Health Administration which, in the judgment of the 
Secretary, demonstrates a high likelihood that the applicant will be 
successful in completing such education or training and in employment in 
such field.
    (e) Agreement.--(1) An agreement between the Secretary and a 
participant in the Program shall (in addition to the requirements set 
forth in section 7604 of this title) include the following:
        (A) The Secretary's agreement to provide the participant with a 
    scholarship under the Program for a specified number (from one to 
    three) of school years during which the participant pursues a course 
    of education or training described in subsection (c) that meets the 
    requirements set forth in section 7602(a) of this title.
        (B) The participant's agreement to serve as a full-time employee 
    in the Veterans Health Administration for a period of time 
    (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the ``period of 
    obligated service'') determined in accordance with regulations 
    prescribed by the Secretary of up to three calendar years for each 
    school year or part thereof for which the participant was provided a 
    scholarship under the Program, but for not less than 3 years.
        (C) The participant's agreement to serve under subparagraph (B) 
    in a Department facility selected by the Secretary.

    (2) In a case in which an extension is granted under section 
7673(c)(2) of this title, the number of years for which a scholarship 
may be provided under the Program shall be the number of school years 
provided for as a result of the extension.
    (3) In the case of a participant who is a part-time student, the 
period of obligated service shall be reduced in accordance with the 
proportion that the number of credit hours carried by such participant 
in any such school year bears to the number of credit hours required to 
be carried by a full-time student in the course of training being 
pursued by the participant, but in no event to less than 1 year.

(Added Pub. L. 105-368, title VIII, Sec. 802(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 
Stat. 3352.)
